The prospect that Al Qaeda might seek to disrupt the U.S. election was a major factor behind last week's terror warning by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Ridge and other counterterrorism officials concede they have no intel about any specific plots. But the success of March's Madrid railway bombings in influencing the Spanish elections—as well as intercepted "chatter" among Qaeda operatives—has led analysts to conclude "they want to interfere with the elections," says one official.
"Oh my god! The sky is falling! THE SKY IS FALLING!"
"Uh, sir, we've got no information that can either confirm nor deny that the sky is in fact falling."
"But there's a danger of imminent attack! Sound the alarm! Batten down the hatches! Secure the area!"
"??"
"I heard them Al Qaeda guys chatting about hating us over four o'clock tea! They're out to get us! We need to be PROACTIVE not REACTIVE!"
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If we move our national election day in light of a "percieved threat", they win (even if there is no attack). The primary goal of terror is to interfere with the normal routine of life, and this sounds like a paranoid child moving his bed in hopes to oust the Boogey Man.
-- B
